Blueberry plant named ‘Plablue 1502’

ABSTRACT

Described is a new and distinct blueberry variety with varietal denomination ‘Plablue 1502’, characterized by a combination of traits which include, upright plant growth habit, and very abundant production of large fruit-size, oblate shaped and very firm fruit. ‘Plablue 1502’ is a self-fertile variety.

Botanical classification: Vaccinium corymbosum L.

Variety denomination: The new plant has the varietal denomination ‘Plablue 1502’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of European Community Plant Variety Office Application No. 2018/2063, for a blueberry variety named ‘Plablue 1502,’ filed on Aug. 9, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Disclosed herein is a new and distinct southern highbush blueberry variety (Vaccinium corymbosum L.). The varietal denomination of the new variety is ‘Plablue 1502.’ The new variety of blueberry was created in a breeding program by crossing two parents; in particular, by crossing as seed parent an undistributed blueberry parent designated ‘14.012.001’ (unpatented) and as pollen parent an undistributed blueberry parent designated ‘14.09.001’ (unpatented). Female and male are selections from breeder's program of the applicant. Both parental varieties are property of the applicant and have not been commercialized.

The new variety was grown and asexually propagated by softwood cuttings in Segovia, Spain, 3° 59′W., 41° 22′N., 2742 feet elevation. Clones of the new variety were further asexually propagated and extensively tested. This propagation and testing has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein which characterize the new variety are fixed and retained true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The growing period in Huelva, Spain, where the observations on primocane production were made, is between about November 20 and June 22 of the following year.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct southern highbush blueberry variety. The varietal denomination of the new variety is ‘Plablue 1502’, that produces and maintains a medium vigorous plant with consistent fruit production from beginning February through ending May. Among the characteristics which appear to distinguish the new variety from other varieties are a combination of traits which include an upright plant growth habit, and very abundant production of large fruit-size, oblate shaped and very firm fruit.

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Plablue 1502’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental and cultural practices such as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.

COMPARISON TO THE PARENTS

The new variety is distinguished from its parents by the following characteristics which are different than the seed parent designated ‘14.012.001’ (unpatented) and the pollen parent designated ‘14.09.001’ (unpatented).

Size of corolla tube in the flower of seed parent ‘14.012.001’ (unpatented) is smaller than in the flower of ‘Plablue 1502’.

Seed parent ‘14.012.001’ (unpatented) shows a medium fruit size, whereas ‘Plablue 1502’ shows a large fruit size.

Pollen parent ‘14.09.001’ (unpatented) shows a short inflorescence length (excluding peduncle), whereas ‘Plablue 1502’ shows a medium inflorescence length.

Pollen parent ‘14.09.001’ (unpatented) shows a medium fruit size, whereas ‘Plablue 1502’ shows a large fruit size.

COMPARISON TO CLOSEST VARIETY

The new variety is closest to the variety ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented), but is distinguished therefrom by the following characteristics which are different than ‘Biloxi’.

Plant of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) exhibits a weak vigor and a semi upright habit, whereas the plant of ‘Plablue 1502’ exhibits a medium vigor and an upright growth habit.

Leaf of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) is longer and narrower than leaf of ‘Plablue 1502’.

Length of inflorescence of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) is shorter than length of inflorescence of ‘Plablue 1502’.

Fruit size of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) is medium and shows a soft firmness, whereas in ‘Plablue 1502’ fruit size is large and is very firm.

Depth of calyx basin in the fruit of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) is shallow, whereas depth of calyx in the fruit of ‘Plablue 1502’ is medium.

Time of beginning of flowering on one-year-old shoot of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) is less early than in ‘Plablue 1502’

Time of beginning of fruit ripening on one-year-old shoot of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) is less early than in ‘Plablue 1502’.

Differences in vigor and grow habit of ‘Plablue 1502’ (designated 15.07.018) and ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 13. Differences in length and width of leaf of ‘Plablue 1502’ (designated 15.07.018) and ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) are shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 14. Differences in fruit size of ‘Plablue 1502’ (designated 15.07.018) and ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) are shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 15. Difference in depth of calyx basin in the fruit of ‘Plablue 1502’ (designated 15.07.018) and fruit of ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) are shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 16. These differences are maintained during the harvest season.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety, designated 15.07.018 in the illustrations, including fruit, foliage and flower, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in color illustrations of this character.

The plants depicted in the drawings were planted October 14 in the farm of La Mogalla in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain, about 7° W, 37° N, 45 feet elevation.

Drawings/photographs were taken in April (about April 4 and April 12): minimum temperate about 11° to 12° Centigrade, maximum temperate about 25 to 26° Centigrade.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show several plants of the new variety (designated 15.07.018) which exhibit a upright habit plant with several clusters of violet-blue color fruit (RHS Violet-Blue group color near 97 D to 97 C) with wax and oblated shape fruits.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the upper side and the underside, respectively, of a complete leave of the new variety (designated 15.07.018). In it, we can see that the leaf color of upper side of the new variety (designated 15.07.018) is a green color (RHS Green group near 137 B to 137 A) and the leaf color of underside of the new variety (designated 15.07.018) is a yellow-green color (RHS Yellow-Green group color near 146 D to 146 B).

FIG. 5 shows clusters with immature flowers of the new variety (designated 15.07.018). In it, we can see the immature flower red color (RHS Red group color near 55 D to 55 C).

FIG. 6 shows typical cluster with flowers of the new variety (designated 15.07.018).

FIG. 7 shows corolla of the new variety (designated 15.07.018) with white color (RHS White group color near 155 B to 155 A) and Greyed-Orange color anthers (RHS Greyed-Orange group color near 165 C to 165 B).

FIG. 8 shows typical sepals of the new variety (designated 15.07.018) with yellow-green color (RHS Yellow-Green group color near 144 D to 144 C).

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show typical fruits of the new variety (designated 15.07.018) with oblate shape and Violet-Blue color with wax (RHS Violet-Blue group color near 97 D to 97 C).

FIG. 11 shows typical sliced fruits of the new variety (designated 15.07.018) with yellow-green flesh color (RHS Yellow-Green group color near 151 D to 151 C).

FIG. 12 shows typical seeds of the new variety (designated 15.07.018) with greyed-orange color (RHS Greyed-Orange group color near 167 D to 167 A).

FIG. 13 shows several plants of the blueberry variety ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) which exhibits a semi upright habit.

FIG. 14 shows the leaf of blueberry variety ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) longer and narrower than the leaf of ‘Plablue 1502’ (designated 15.07.018).

FIG. 15 shows the fruit of blueberry variety ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) which exhibits a fruit size smaller than the fruit of ‘Plablue 1502’ (designated 15.07.018).

FIG. 16 shows sliced fruits of blueberry variety ‘Biloxi’ (unpatented) which exhibits a shallow depth of calyx basin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description of the new variety is based upon observations taken of plants and fruits grown “underglass”, i.e. undertunnel, in the farm of La Mogalla in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain, 7° W., 37° N., 45 feet elevation.

The following description is in accordance with UPOV terminology and the color teminology herein is in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.C.C.), 3^(rd) edition published in 1995. The color descriptions and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions.

PROPAGATION

The new variety is principally propagated by softwood cuttings. Although propagation by softwood cuttings is presently preferred, other know methods of propagating blueberry plants may be used.

Blueberry root and develop well after transplanting.

GENERAL

‘Plablue 1502’ is propagated by softwood cuttings. It is a variety with fruit production from beginning February through ending May. It is a self-fertile variety. It produces large quantities of pollen throughout the seasons and pollination is good.

Production: Plants described are from high elevation nursery in Segovia, Spain, 3° 59′W., 41° 22′N., 2742 feet elevation.

Trials pursued in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain.

-   -   Date of planting: 14th October.     -   Number of repetitions: 2     -   Plants per repetition: 50

TABLE 1 Table 1 shows the accumulated production of fruit (g/plant) of the new variety ‘Plablue 1502’ when compared to its closest varieties ‘Biloxi’ and ‘Star’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,675). Variety February 27 March 31 April 30 June 22 Plablue 1502 805.00 2002.67 3635.00 5944.00 Biloxi 191.67 477.33 905.33 2850.00 Star 0.00 757.67 1781.73 1803.10

TABLE 2 Table 2 shows the weight (g/fruit) at three dates of the new variety ‘Plablue 1502’ when com- pared to its closest varieties ‘Biloxi’ and ‘Star’. Variety March 31 April 30 June 22 Plablue 1502 20.00 20.00 18.00 Biloxi 16.00 14.00 14.00 Star 18.00 18.00 17.00 **Weight is shown as the average weight per fruit

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following additional information is provided to further describe the new variety.

-   Variety: ‘Plablue 1502’. Breeder Ref. 15.07.018. -   Latin name: Vaccinium corymbosum L. -   Common name: Southern highbush blueberry. -   Plants are grown in containers of 45 liters of capacity. -   Plant:     -   -   Habit.—Upright.         -   Vigor.—Medium.         -   Height of plant.—About 1.60 m.         -   Canopy diameter.—About 1.20 m.         -   Twigginess.—High.         -   Suckering.—High.         -   Evergreenness.—Evergreen.         -   Chilling requirement.—Approximately 100-200 hour at             temperatures at or below 7° C.         -   Cold hardiness.—Has not been grown in all environments             including harsh winter environments. Cold tolerance is             expected to be low. -   Trunk and branches:     -   -   Surface texture new wood.—Smooth.         -   Surface texture 1 year wood.—Smooth.         -   Surface texture 2 years and older wood.—Rough.         -   Diameter new wood.—About 5.0 to 6.0 mm.         -   Diameter 1 year wood.—About 10.0 to 11.0 mm.         -   Diameter 2 years old wood.—About 17.0 to 18.0 mm.         -   Color.—New wood about yellow-green color (RHS Yellow-Green             group color near 144B to 144 A) transitioning to about             greyed-orange color (RHS Greyed-Orange group color near 165             B to 165 A) in about 2 year old wood. -   Leaf:     -   -   Internode length.—About 18.2 to 20.4 mm.         -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate simple.         -   Length.—About 6.5 to 7.0 cm.         -   Width.—About 4.3 to 4.6 cm.         -   Leaf shape.—Elliptic.         -   Shape of tip.—Acute.         -   Shape of base.—Obtuse.         -   Shape of margin.—Serrate.         -   Venation pattern.—Reticulate.         -   Mature leaf color upperside.—RHS Green group color near 137             B to 137 A.         -   Mature leaf color underside.—RHS Yellow-Green group color             near 146 D to 146 B.         -   Pubescence upper leaf surface.—Absent.         -   Pubescence under leaf surface.—Absent.         -   Pubescence leaf margin.—Present.         -   Precocity.—New vegetative growth before flowering. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—About 3.0 to 4.0 mm.         -   Width (diameter).—About 1.4 to 1.9 mm.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green group color near 145 A. -   Flower:     -   -   Flower arrangement.—Compound raceme. Clusters at the end of             branches.         -   Flower shape.—Cylindrical to slightly urceolate.         -   Flowers per cluster.—About 3 to 5.         -   Flower fragrance.—Faint. Sweet.         -   Immature flower color.—RHS Red group color near 55 D to 55             C. -   Corolla:     -   -   Length.—About 7.0 to 7.5 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 10.0 to 11.0 mm.         -   Aperture width.—About 5.0 to 6.0 mm.         -   Color.—RHS White group color near 155 B to 155 A.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—About 10.0 to 10.5 mm.         -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green group color near 144 C to 144 B. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—About 12.5 to 13.0 mm.         -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green group color near 144 C to 144 B. -   Calyx:     -   -   Calyx (with sepals) diameter.—About 8.5 to 9.5 mm.         -   Calyx texture.—Smooth.         -   Color center of calyx.—RHS Yellow-Green group color near 146             C to 146 B.         -   Color sepals.—RHS Yellow-Green group color near 144 D to 144             C.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Erect.         -   Type of sepals.—Reflexed. -   Stamen:     -   -   Length.—About 5.7 to 6.0 mm.         -   Number per flower.—About 10 to 13.         -   Filament color.—RHS Yellow-Green group color near 145 D to             145 C. -   Style:     -   -   Length.—About 6.8 to 7.2 mm.         -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green group color near 144 D to 144 C. -   Pistil:     -   -   Length.—About 8.3 to 9.7 mm.         -   Ovary color.—RHS Yellow-Green group color near 145 D to 145             C. -   Anther:     -   -   Length.—About 3.5 to 4.0 mm.         -   Number.—About 10 to 13.         -   Color.—RHS Greyed-Orange group color near 165 C to 165 B. -   Pollen:     -   -   Abundance.—High.         -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Orange group color near 20 C to 20 B.         -   Self-compatibility.—The cultivar has demonstrated a high             degree of self-compatibility. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruiting type.—On one-year-old and current season's shoots.         -   Calyx aperture.—About 6.0 to 7.0 mm.         -   Calyx lobes.—About 5 to 6 lobes.         -   Calyx depth.—About 2.4 to 2.7 mm.         -   Pedicel length.—About 7.5 to 8.0 mm.         -   Pedicel surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Peduncle length.—About 9.5 to 10.0 mm.         -   Peduncle surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Berries per cluster.—About 8 to 9.         -   Berry detachment.—Easy.         -   Weight.—About 18 to 20 gr.         -   Height.—About 13.0 to 14.0 mm.         -   Width.—About 19.5 to 21.0 mm.         -   Shape.—Oblate.         -   Color with wax.—RHS Violet-Blue group color near 97 D to 97             C.         -   Color with wax removed.—RHS Black group color near 202 A.         -   Wax.—Persistent wax.         -   Surface wax abundance.—Moderate.         -   Flesh color.—RHS Yellow-Green group color near 151 D to 151             C.         -   Pedicel scar.—About 0.9 to 1.4 mm.         -   Firmness.—0.8 Kg. Firmness: It is the fruit's resistance to             penetration measured in Kilograms (Kg). The measure given             has been obtained by penetrometer ROZE Mod. Arbelette, with             a 20 mm² section ahead.         -   Texture of flesh.—Soft. -   Seed:     -   -   Color.—RHS Greyed-Orange group color near 167 D to 167 A.         -   Length.—About 1.0 to 2.0 mm.         -   Width.—About 0.95 to 1.1 mm.         -   Weight.—About 0.3 to 0.4 mg.         -   Seeds per berry.—About 10 to 12. -   General: The growing period in Huelva, Spain, where the observations     on primocane production were made, is between about November 20 and     June 22 of the following year. ‘Plablue 1502’ is a blueberry variety     that benefits from induction to flowering by chilling, usually a few     hours (approximately 100-200 hours) are sufficient, preferably at     temperatures of 7° C. or less. Normally, the minimum number of hours     is accumulated in the field during several days. ‘Plablue 1502’ is a     variety with consistent fruit production beginning in on first days     of February and ending at the end of May. After planting as     aforesaid, plants are grown in containers under tunnel. Water and     fertilizer were applied through drip irrigation. -   Date of planting: About October 15 in the farm of La Mogalla, in     Cartaya (Huelva), Spain, about 7° W, 37° N, 45 feet elevation. Time     of flowering data: 10% flowering about November 20. First mature     fruits are about February 6 (15-20 g/plant), with a maximum     production at the beginning of May. -   Storage qualities: ‘Plablue 1502’ fruit maintains their quality     characteristics when kept in a frigo chamber at temperatures of     about 2° C. for a duration of about 24 days. The fruit's color     remains substantially the same. Shelf life of ‘Plablue 1502’ is     good. -   Use/market: The berries of ‘Plablue 1502’ are suitable for     consumption as fresh fruit. Also, they are amenable to processing. -   Disease resistance: No particular sensitivity to any disease or pest     has been observed for ‘Plablue 1502’ 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct blueberry plant of the variety substantially as shown and described. 